Stud-and-socket fastener.



D. BDURQUE.

STUD AND SOCKET FASTENER.

APPLICATION FILED IuLY I4, 191e.

INI/ENTOH Patented Jan. 28

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DAVID BOUBQUE, F AMESBURY, MASSACHSETTS, .ASSIGNOR TO G. WV. J. MURPHY CO., MASSACHUSETTS, A CORPORATION 0F MASSACHUSETTS.

STUD-AND-SOCKET FASTENEIR. y

specification of Lettera Patent.

Patented Jan. '28, 1919.

Application mea my 14, 191e. serial No. 109,379.

To allvwlwm z't ma concern;

Be it known t at .'I, DAvm BoUnQUE `a subject of the King of Great Britain, an a. resident of Rocky Hill, Amesbury, in the county of Essex and Commonwealth of4 Massachusetta have invented an Improvefastener, but particularly adapted for use on vehicle curtains, and the like, where it is essential that the curtain carrying the socket be so securely attached to the stud that it will not be disengaged therefrom by the flapping of the curtain or an outward strain thereon due to Wind pressure. A fastener constructed in -accordance with my invention is more convenient to apply and use than those hitherto known, and also has superior holding power.

My invention will besi-l be understood byl reference to the 'following description of an illustrative embodiment thereof, taken in connection with the accompanying dra-wing showing the same, wherein:

Figure 1 is a central sectional View of the fastener; A

Fig. 2, a similar view showing the stud member tilted and in position to be detached from the socket member;

Fig. 3, a sectional view on the line 3--3 of ig. 4, a face view of the socket member. Referring to the various parts by numerals, the form of fastener shown includes the stud member 1, which is adapted to be secured to a curtain 2, or to a rigid support. This stud may be secured in osition in any suitable manner, and may be ormed with the' cylindrical body` part 3 having a reduced neck portion 4 near its outer end, the said reduced Vneck merging into the cylindrical body part along a curved cam-like'surface 5. At the outer end of thereduced part 4 is formed the head 6, said head having an innersquare face 7 perpendicular to the axis of the stud. This square face 'preferably is merged into the dome-like head 6 through the lrounded corner 8, so that there is no sharp edge between the curved surface of the head and the square or straight surface of the face 7. The diameter of the head at its point of greatest width may be substantiallyequal to the diameter of the cylindrical body part 3 of the stud. The rounded corner 8 and the cam-like surface 5 serve materially in assisting in opening the jaws of the socket member, as will be more fully hereinafter set forth. .It should be noted that the neck 4 is substantially co-axial with the shank or head, or, in other words, is uniformlyreduced on every side, and that the stud is therefore perfectly symmetrical.

.-The socket member shown herein consists of a circular casing or eyelet 10, having a front outer wall 11 and a short cylindrical wall 1.2. At the inner end of the cylindrical wall 1s formed a short annular flange 13,

said flange forming a radial internal shoull der 14. At the outer end of the radial ange 13 is formed a cylindrical portion 15. Within this cylindrical portion, and bearing against the shoulder 14, is a washer 16, purpose of which is to retain in position the spring jaws of the socket as hereinafter described, said washer having a central aperture 17 formed therein. Between the front wall 11 of the socket member and the washer 16 are arranged the spring locking jaws, the

the

cylindrical wall 12 being of sufficient length I to form a narrow space or jaw-receiving chamber, in whlch 'the jaw structure fits.

The jaw structure consists of a number of -segmental members 18, preferably three,

which lit together and form an 'annulus In other Words, the parts 18 are truncated circular sectors. Each member 18, at its inner edge, may be bent inwardly to form the inwardly extending, curved wall 19, said Walls of all the members forming the wall of a cylindrical cup when said members are in thelr normal positions, asshown in Figs. 3 and 4. At the inner edges of the curved walls 19, the members are bent parallel with the main portions thereof, to form the annular locking flange 20. Suitable spring means are provided normally to hold the members 18 together, and I have shown herein each locking member formed with an inwardly extending lug 21, and, engaging the outer edges of these lugs and maintaining the locking members in their normal socket member.

The construction of the -j aw members from a split annulus in this manner 1s simple and inexpensive. The various se ents formed will iit together like the bloc s or voussoirsp of an arch, and the structure will thus, to a great extent, maintain itself in shape, and, when constricted by the spllt sprin ring 22, is substantially indeformable. T ie structure itself is symmetrical and the forces developed when the jaws are forced apart are distributed substantially equally about the circumference. In other words, the several sectors 18 yield outwardly substantial] along radial lines, the action being quite di ferent from that of a jaw structure which opens at one end and may be wedged apart in -sucha way as to let the coperating stud escape at one side when it would be held at the other. v

While any suitable number ofsectors 18 may be used, I preferably lnnit the number to three, as here shown. The reason for this is that three will form a trussed frame which cannot be distorted apart from actual bendingI or breaking of thel sides, whereas a polygon of four or more sides may be changed in shape without altering theA sides themselves. For example, a s quare can be collapsed, as it were, into an oblique parallelogram. A triangle, on the other hand, permanently retains its shape, and all trussed frames in houses, bridges and the like are formed of a number of triangles joined together. By limiting the number of segments to three, therefore, the firmness of the Whole jaw structure is enhanced and the forces are better distributed. A

The socket may be secured in position in any suitable manner, but I preferably utilize a tubular rivet 24, having a large iiange 23 fitting against the washer 16, said rivet being secured in position by an annular inturned flange 25, said flange also serving permanently to secure the washer 16 in position against, the shoulder' 14. The tubular rivet extends through an aperture in the curtain 26, and its inner end is turned outwardly and bent over the clenching` washer 27. The washer and the turned-over p0rtion of the rivet clench and lock the curtain against the iange 23 of the tubular rivet, and against the inturned Harige 25 of the socket casing. By this means the curtain material is clenched and locked to the socket member. The stud member enters the socket member through the tubular rivet meas/e and passes through the aperture 17 in the spring-retaining washer.

I referably utilize the separate Washer 16 as s own in `the drawings, as by so doing I can provide a chamber closely.iitting the jaw structure and extendin down toward the center so as to afford t e same ample support and et one in which the 'aw structure has amp e freedom of play. he tubular rivet 24 may then 'be arranged so that the ange 23 thereof merges into the tubular part at a considerable distance from the center and along a curve as shown. Conse- \`-quently, when the other end of the rivet is turned down over the washer 27, the shocks will be transmitted along'the more or less conical surface formed where the rivet is bent, and there will be no tendency for the same to be jammed down and pinch the jaw structure against the front wall 11 of the casing. On the contrary, the structure is neatly housed in the chamber formed by this casing and the washer 16.

When the stud member is engaged with the socket member the head of the stud rests 1n the cylindrical ou formed by the walls 19 of v the locking` Jaws, and thelocking flanges 2O fit against the face 7 of said head, the edges of said locking flanges fitting close to the reduced portion 4: of the stud. As the said locking .flanges fit squarely against the square face of the shoulder 7, tne two members of the fastener cannot be separated by a direct outward 1pull on the socket, or by a direct inward pul on the stud member. When it is desired to separate the two members, one or the other of said members must be tllted or linclined with respect to the other. This movement will cause the rounded portion 8 of the head of the stud to 1m inge against the wall 19 of one of the loc ing jaws. and to force said jaw radiall When the tilting movement has been sufii'- cient to bring' the cam-like surface 5 of the stud member against the jaw member on the opposite side of the center thereof from that portion of the heau which is in engagement with the wall 19 of one of the jaw members, ,the said cam-like portion of the stud will assist in separating the jaws to permit the head to be withdrawn from the jaws, as shown in 'Fig. 2 of the drawing. This result may be secured by a relative tilting or angular movement of the stud and socket members, Without regard to the direction of movement of the tilted part. This is of great advantage for the reason that it permits the fasteners to be secured in place in any desired relation to each other, it being only necessary that they be so placed that the stud may be caused to enter the socket through the tubular rivet.

It is apparent from the above description that an important feature of my device is the symmetrical construction thereof. This is masacre y l of considerable importance when the fasconsiderab rate the stud from the socket by tippng or the other sharply, as illustrated 1n -which action could hardly take place acciteners are placed in position, as it is unnecessary to take into account the angular position thereof but only to provide for their registration with the studs 3. When it is desired to place a row of fasteners along the curved ed e' of a curtain for example, a

' )le source of difficulty is at once obviated. This symmetrical formation is also im ortant in that it rovides a fastener which olds very firmly ut is not likely to' be separated by any accidental movement due toa particularly strong pull on the curtain in some direction, as is possible' with fastenerswhich open to one side wherein the jaws ma be sprung so as to release or partially relrease the head. At the same tlme, when the user wishes he-can .readil sepaone ig. 2

dentally. It will be noted, furthermore, thatthis tippingmay take place in any direction, because of the symmetrical structure of the stud about its longitudinal axis and the symmetrical arrangement of the jaws. A fruitful source of vexation and annoyance in prior fasteners, wherein the operator had to experiment, pulll and probv ably strain the fastener before he discovered the correct direction -of operation, is done away with.

While I have herein described in considerable detail the form of fastener shown and described the voperation thereof in lspecific words, it will be understood that I have done so in order that the theory and operation of the illustrative form disclosed might be more readily understood. The details of structure might, of course` be considerably varied but what I claim and desire to secure by Letters Patent is:

1. A stud and socket fastener comprising a centric group of jaws having co-planar arc-shaped portions and concentric flange portions substantially per endicular thereto, said jaws collectively orlningv an interrupted-cup, spring means for positioning the jaws and a headed stud adapted to enter thev socket centrally between said jaws and having an abrupt shoulder inwardly of the head behind which s aid arc-shaped portions are adapted to rest, said head being curved to engage the fiange portions when the elements of the fastener are relatively tipped whereby to spread the jaws.

2. In a stud and socket fastener a stud having a shank and a head joined to said shank by an abrupt shoulder and a socket having a set of jaw members urged resili-` ently inward and collectively embracing the stud, said portions having angularlydisposed parts adapted to lie respectively behind said shoulder and about the exterior of the head, the head being curved to act vto fit the 4. In a stud and socket fastener a stud having a shank and a head joined thereto by an abrupt annular shoulder, and a socket having a symmetrical set of resiliently centripetal `jaws having portions adapted to lie behind said shoulder, said fastener embodying' in its construction a symmetrically arranged camming surface adapted to move one or more of said jaws outwardly whenever the elements of the fastener are'relatively sharply tipped.

. 5. In a stud and socket fastener, in Acombination, a headed stud and a socket having a resiliently centripetal group of angular jaws, each havinga flange arranged to lic inwardly beneath the head and a fiange to lie exteriorly about the head. j

6. In a stud and socket fastener, in combination, a socket having a jaw system comprising a divided annulus having an offset central portion forming a depressionand a stud havin a head formed in part closely epression and -also formed with a cam surface to spread the annulus when the elements of the fastener are relatively tipped.

7. In a stud and socket fastener, in combination, a socket having a jaw system comprising a divided annulus having an offset central portion forming a substantially cylindrical depression and a stud having a head formed with surfaces closely to fit the bottom and sides of the depressiomsaid surfaces being joined by a curved surface corresponding` to the base angle of the cylinder, said head also having a cam surface to spread the annulus when the elements of the fastener are relatively tipped.

8. A stud and socket fastener comprising,"

in combination, a stud having a shank and a head joined to the shank by an annular shoulder having a part lying in a plane substantially perpendicular to the axis of the shank, and a socket comprising a centric group of jaw members, each segmental in plan and angular in section and adapted to receive the outer `circumference of said shoulder in the angle thereof and spring means for positioning the jaws.

9. A fastener as defined in claim 8 wherein the segments fit together under constricting action of said spring means to form a complete annulus.

10. A fastener as defined in claim 8 wherein the segments form each a third of a complete annulus and fit together under constricting action of said spring means.

11. In a stud and socket fastener a stud having 'a shank and a head joined to said shank by an abrupt shoulder and a socket havin resilientl centripetal jaws adapted to 11e be rind said s oulder and interlock positlvely therewith against direct outward pull, parts associated with said jaws and arranged to overlie the sides of the head, the latter beino` curved to act cam-like on said parts w len-the elements of the fastener are relatively tipped.

12. In a stud and socket fastener a stud having a shank and a head joined to said shank by an abrupt shoulder and a socket having resiliently centripetal jaws adapted to lie behind said shoulder and interlock positively therewith against direct outward movement, parts associated with said jaws extending longitudinally of the stud, sald stud having a surface adapted to act camlike on said parts when the elements of the fastener are relatively tipped.

13. l.In a stud and socket fastener a stud having a shank and a head joined thereto by an abrupt annular shoulder, and a socket having'a symmetrical set of resiliently centripetal jaws having portions adapted to lie behind said shoulder, said fastener embodying in its construction a cam surface against which one or more of said jaws is pressed whereby to disengage it or them from the shoulder whenever the elements of the fastener arel relatively sharply tipped.

14. A stud-and-socket fastener comprlsing a socket member composed of a casing having a jaw-receiving chamber, jaws in said chamber formed with locking flanges at their inner edges, walls connecting said flanges to the body portions of the jaws and forming therewith. a cylindrical cup, a spring device for holding the jaw members in their normal locking positions, and a stud member formed with a head having a square or perpendicular face at its inner end,` a rounded corner connecting said square face with the body of the head, said i stud being reduced in diameter adjacent to said face and having a cylindrical body part of substantially the same diameter as the head, and a curved cam-like the reduced part with the part.

15. A stud-and-socket fastener compriscylindrical body part connecting mesma ing a socket member composed of a casing having a jaw-receivmg chamber, jaws 1n sald chamber formed with locking flanges at their gaging the jaws and holdln them in their' normal locking positions, an a stud member formed with a head having a s uare or perpendicular face at its inner en a rounded corner connecting said square face with the body of the head, said stud being reduced in diameter adj accnt to said shoulder, and having a cylindrical body part `of substantially the same diameter as the head, and a curved cam-like part connecting the reduced part with the cylindrical body part.

16. A stud-and socket fastener comprising a socket member includin a casing, an annulus therein radially divi ed into three or more parts, and spring means tending to retain the truncated sectors so formed in contact and comprising also a headed stud..

member adapted to enter said annulus.

17. A stud and socket fastener comprisretain the truncated sectors so formed in` contact and comprising also a stud member formed with a shank, a head and a reduced coaxial neck connecting said shank and head, said shank merging smoothly into said neck and said head being joined to said neck by a square shoulder which at its exterior periphery merges alon a curved surface into the outer surface oi'gsaidhead.

19. A stud-and-'socket fastener comprising, in combination, an apertured casing, jaw members in said casing including segmental members having concaved inner edges presented adjacent theaperture and ttin together to form an open frame or annu us, constrictive spring means tending to hold said members in contact,l and a stud member adapted to enter the-aperture and having a head to engage within said edges.

In testimony whereof, I have signed my name to this specification. 

